Press Release from the Office of the State Treasurer
ST. LOUIS – Two St. Louis area women hit the Unclaimed Property jackpot – one getting $700,000 and the other finding $110,000. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel announced the returns today, and that the $700,000 return is the second return over $500,000 to an individual this fiscal year. What is thought to be the single largest return to a business or individual in the nation’s history took place in November when $6.1 million was returned to a Kansas City area woman. The recipients’ names are not being released for privacy reasons.

“One in 10 Missourians has Unclaimed Property and clearly these two did very well – I am sure they can put it to use,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “I want folks to know there is a strong chance they or someone they know is owed Unclaimed Property, and right now there is $600 million waiting. My website, www.ShowMeMoney.com, is the place to find it and claim it.”

The $110,000 return was made up of one savings account, and the $700,000 return was made up of stocks.

Thirty-eight accounts worth more than $100,000 each remain to be returned. The geographic breakdown is: 15 in St. Louis County; 12 in Jackson County; three in St. Louis City; two in Boone County; and one each in Buchanan, Butler, Camden, Cole, Franklin and Jasper counties.

Since January 2009, Treasurer Zweifel has returned a record $109 million to more than 326,000 account holders.

Missourians may check for Unclaimed Property 24 hours-a-day at www.ShowMeMoney.com. New property is added weekly. About 55 percent of claims are eligible for paperless processing, and wait times have been cut in half. Individuals may also sign up for email notifications and can track a submitted claim from the website.

About Treasurer Zweifel’s Unclaimed Property

State law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, public agencies and other business entities to turn over assets to Treasurer Zweifel that belong to a customer, client, employee or other owner if there have been no documented transactions or contact with the owner for five or more years. Most Unclaimed Property consists of cash from bank accounts, stocks, bonds and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned. It also can include uncollected insurance policy proceeds, government refunds, utility deposits and wages from past jobs. Treasurer Zweifel does not handle real property such as land, houses, cars and boats. There is $600 million in Unclaimed Property maintained by Treasurer Zweifel. Treasurer Zweifel never charges for the return of Unclaimed Property.